Developmental social-pragmatic model

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The developmental social-pragmatic model (DSP) is a developmental intervention that focuses on initiation and spontaneity in communication and following the child's focus of attention and motivations. [1] Developmental interventions focus on a child's ability to form positive, meaningful relationships with other people when these are hampered by autism spectrum disorders such as autism or Asperger syndrome, or developmental disorders. It aims to build on the child's current communicative repertoire, even if this is unconventional; and using more natural activities and events as contexts to support the development of the child's communicative abilities.

Contents

Overview

The DSP approach is characterized by the parent or therapist allowing the child to initiate interactions as they are based on the child's interests. The environment is also organized in a way to encourage interactions. This can be done by:

Children on the autistic spectrum typically have trouble picking up the emotional states of others so emotions are exaggerated by the adult. These are often accompanied by verbal labeling; e.g., "See how happy I am!"

Other strategies in the developmental social-pragmatic model include:

DSP put emphasis on developing communication skills within the context of developing relationships and socio-emotional growth, whereas the role of emotions in motivation and learning is minimized in behavioral interventions.

Research into DSP

Parents of autistic children using developmental or 'naturalistic' techniques were reported to be happier, less stressed and felt they communicated better with their child than parents trained in discrete trial training (Koegel et al., 1996). Research indicates that DSP can lay some claim to being an evidence-based treatment. A review of the literature on DSP found that it appeared to be more effective than discrete trial training (Delprato 2001). DSP can improve adult-child interactions (Mahoney & Perales 2003), but little of the research on DSP to date has been rigorous.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism spectrum</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture Exchange Communication System</span> A communication teaching method for people with limited speech

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Connie Kasari is an expert on autism spectrum disorder and a founding member of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Kasari is Professor of Psychological Studies in Education at UCLA and Professor of Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She is the leader of the Autism Intervention Research Network for Behavioral Health, a nine-institution research consortium.

Marian Diamond Sigman (1941–2012) was a developmental and child clinical psychologist known for her research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At the time of her death, she was Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD) - previously called semantic-pragmatic disorder (SPD) or pragmatic language impairment (PLI) - is a disorder in understanding pragmatic aspects of language. People with SPCD have special challenges with the semantic aspect of language and the pragmatics of language. Individuals have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal social communication.

References

  1. Hupp, Stephen (2018-09-06). Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: Components of Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth and their Parents. Cambridge University Press. p. 34. ISBN   978-1-316-73379-0.